Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Plimmerton rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.